The encouraging signs for Middlesbrough in the transfer market as Neil Warnock eyes second summer signing

There are less than six weeks to go until the start of the new Championship season, yet preparations are already being put in place for the new campaign.

Boro’s first team are expected to return to training in around two weeks’ time, yet how the squad will look in the middle of August remains to be seen.

The Teessiders have already completed one deal following the arrival of defender Grant Hall, and will hope to have a few more new faces when players return to Rockliffe later this month.

It’s been well-documented what manager Neil Warnock thinks of the squad, in his words they are an honest and hard-working group which lacks leaders and natural defenders.

A large turnover of players is therefore expected this summer, and the rebuild has already begun following the departures of Adam Clayton, Daniel Ayala, Rudy Gestede, Ryan Shotton and several loan signings.

Clubs in England will be allowed to sign players until the start of October, yet Boro will need new players long before the deadline, ideally before training resumes, to allow signings to settle.

Even following Hall’s arrival, Boro have just one other senior centre-back who has regular Championship experience in Dael Fry, while there remains a clear lack of pace and creativity in wide areas.

Encouragingly, though, Warnock seems to know what he wants and won’t tolerate being messed around.

When asked about recruitment plans last week, Warnock replied: “I think next week, from Monday onwards, I’m going to start putting pressure on people and if they don’t want to come I’ll leave alone.”

That’s reassuring to hear. How many times have Boro appeared to wait on players in recent years only to be turned down at the last minute?

In a truncated pre-season, the Teessiders surely can’t afford to be waiting around, they need players who want to be there.

Judging by his first interview, Hall appears to tick that box, and the experienced centre-back spoke about the appeal of playing under Warnock once again.

The defender's arrival marks a positive start to the window, but more deals need to follow.

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